Purse Thief’s Suspected Accomplice Arrested

Sheriff’s deputies arrested a teen suspected of aiding a purse thief then hitting another vehicle and fleeing, Sheriff’s officials announced Friday.

On Friday, Aug. 24, a teen snatched a woman's handbag off her chair through an open window at Baklava Restaurant on Laurel Street. The 6’0” tall suspect then ran west on Cherry Street into a parking lot behind the 700 bock of Laurel Street while being chased by two witnesses.

The suspect tossed the purse into a waiting silver 2005 Chevrolet Impala but did not get into it.

The driver of the vehicle then fled the parking lot and struck another vehicle driving in the lot. The suspect also narrowly missed striking one of the witnesses who was chasing the suspect on foot.

A Sheriff’s investigation of the driver and suspect vehicle led officials to identify the driver as a 17-year-old juvenile of Union City.

An arrest warrant was issued and the suspect was contacted at his residence. The juvenile was transported to the San Mateo County Youth Services Center and charged with robbery, assault with a deadly weapon and hit and run.

The case has been forwarded to the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.   The investigation into the identity of the handbag thief and any other suspects involved in this incident is continuing.

Any person with information about this crime is encouraged to call Detective Jonathan Sebring at 650-363-4057.  You may also call the Sheriff’s Office Anonymous Witness Line at 1-800-547-2700.

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